Fuel composition



Patented .Fune 8, i948 FUEL COMPOSITION Fred Elkan, New York, N. Y.

No Drawing. Application July it, 1944, Serial No. 545,015

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a fuel composition which can be used as a firekindler for igniting anthracite coal, as well as bituminous coal, coke,and other solid fuels, in all types of boilers, furnaces, stoves andother equipment burning solid fuels, as well as a fuel in itself, whichconstitutes kindler and self-contained fuel all in one.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my patent application Ser.No. 466,473, flled November 21, 1942 (-now abandoned).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combustibleproduct of the kind above referred to which can be manufacturedeconomically and in any desired shape, is of high thermal eficiency, isnot adversely aflected by weather conditions, is clean to handle, notfragile and is of comparatively low cost.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fuelcomposition which consists of a plurality but at least of three groupsof hydrocarbons each of which has a higher flash point than the previousone, whereby the one with the lowest flash point can be lit with a matchin the presence of a solid combustible material, whereas thehydrocarbons of higher flash points develop sufllcient heat to eflectincandescence of the solid combustible material and to kindle evenanthracite in an open grate fire.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide a binderwhich allows the binding and solidifying of finely divided coalparticles into briquets or the like. even in the presence of liquid andsaint-liquid hydrocarbons up to 30% of the total weight of the finalbriquetted compound.

This and other objects are achieved by making the mixture of particlessuch as obtained from coal and charcoal and a plurality of hydrocarbons,preferably at least three, with graded flash points, since the properselection of the hy--v drocarbons according to their flash points andthe proper binder which binds the composition are decisive for thedesired effect.

It was believed until now that it is necessary to use a kindlerdeveloping long lasting flames with a high thermal efiect in order tolight such a hard and difilcultly inflammable material as anthracite. Ibelieve that I am the first to discover that not flames alone, even ofhighest temperatures and long lasting, but a kindler material brought toquick incandescence will produce the high temperature necessary toeffect the incandescence and ignition of the anthracite to be kindledmost efllciently, most easily and quickest.

' the like.

2 This new round principle was decisive in the selection of theingredients and the method oi preparing the compound according to thepresent invention, according to which the minimum amount or flamesnecessary for draft and at the same time a quick incandescence withinitself will be produced, the incandescence spreading rapidly to theanthracite to be kindled.

The compound according to the present invention can be accommodated tothe special use as a kindler or as a fuel-i. e. as kindler developingonly moderate flames for a short period of time with following quickincandescence of the body of the kindler; as fuel developing hot, largeflames for a long time (about 25 to 40 minutes according to the amountused) with following-incandescence lasting for a sti l longer period oftime (about to minutes according to the amount used)-although it can beused in either capacity as kindler for kindling of the hardestinflammable anthracite or as a fuel for kitchen stoves, all kinds offurnaces, open grate fire-places, and In this connection it is importantto state that the compound according to the invention in its use as akindler is capable of kindling even anthracite in an open tire-placewhich could not be achieved with any known kindler until now.

In accordance with the present invention the compound comprises about 0to 15% most readily inflammable hydrocarbons, 0 to 20% readilyinflammable hydrocarbons, 0 to 20% less readily inflammablehydrocarbons, 0 to 20% most difficultly inflammable hydrocarbons, d5 to65% solid combustible material, 1 to 30% pitch and 1 to 12% cornstarch,the mentioned four groups of hydrocarbons amounting to at least 18%.Though preferably at least three groups of hydrocarbons are used, it ispossible to use a greater number of groups of hydrocarbons with gradedflash points. Any pitchcan be used in the binder. as pitch of coal-tar,wood-tar, turpentine, of different oils and even any artificial pitch. a

In the preferred compound of four groups of hydrocarbons the first groupof 0 to 15% most readily inflammable hydrocarbons contains hydrocarbonsof a flash point up to about F'., as kerosene, which group can beignited by a match in the presence of solid combustible material,preferably carbonaceous material. The second group of 0 to 20% readilyinflammable hydrocarbons contains hydrocarbons of a flash point fromabout 150 F. up to about 260 as a crude petroleum of a medium flash andfire point. The third group of 0 to 20% less readily aaaaoso heavy oilmay be an oil having a very high speciflc gravity and which requires acomparatively high temperature to get ignited. which oils'are used forinstance in heavy oil motors or as lubricatin oils, or it may also be aheavy organic oil of the proper flash point characteristic of thehighest group, or a heavy tar-oil.

In one 01 the favored embodiments of the invention the fuel compoundcomprises about 1 to 30% pitch, 1 to 12% cornstarch, about to 20%parailln, to 20% crude oil of medium flash point, to 15% kerosene, V tokaollne, 3 to 60% coal particles, 3 to 60% charcoal particles. To thiscompound can be added A to 30% naphthalene, about 1 to 2% slaked orother lime, about 1 to 2% iron oxide, about 1 to 2% antimony sulphideand 1 to 2% zinc oxide.

Thus according to the purpose to which the compound is to be used, apart of its ingredients will vary as necessary. The most importantingredients which are contained in all variations of the compound to beused either as kindier or as fuel are the binder, namely, any pitch,preterably coal-tar pitch, its stifiening agent as, preferably,cornstarch, parailln always as an element of the mentioned third groupoi. the ignition steps and also charcoal as at least one of thecarbonaceous or solid combustible materials. In accordance with thediflerent purposes the compound of the present invention is additionalingredients are added in the four ignition groups and chosen mainlyaccording to their flash points and secondly also according to theirspecific gravity.

A special compound for kindler purposes consists mainly of coal-tarpitch and cornstarch as.

binder, kerosene as element of the group with lowest flash point, crudeoil of medium flash and fire points as element of the group with nexthigher flash point, parainn as element of the group with still higherflash point, a heavy oil of a high viscosity aselement of the group withhighest flash points, crushed charcoal and other anthracite and/orbituminous coal particles, wherer by the latter comprise not more than65% but at least 45% by weight or the compound and the hydrocarbons orthe four mentioned groups comrise at least 18% of the compound.

A variation of the compound, especially suited for fuel purposes,preferably in the form of briquets for open fire-places, kitchen stoves,and the like has about the same ingredients as the variation for use asa kindler, but the amount of each of the ingredients variesaccommodating the compound to the special purpose. In this modificationonly three of the four groups of hydrocarbons of diflerent flash pointsare used and in a further modification naphthalene is added in the firstgroup of hydrocarbons with lowest flash point, which initiates moreefllciently the first stage of the burning process, In all variations oithe compound the solid combustible substances consist of particles ofdiiferent meshes, thereby forming a sufiicient number of intersticeswhich remain between the particles to im-. part a porous character tothe compound, beneficial to the burning process.

' my invention will It will be understood that kindlers em ody!" thequality to produce, strong in candescence within themselves in asurprisingly short period of time, a quality which is required to.ignite anthracite coal flres and other flres more quickly andeiflciently than it can be done with charcoal or wood alone and at acost which is less than for charcoal or wood on a heat unit contentbasis.

The compound according to this invention relsents an ideal kindler whichis absolutely safe and innocuous in use, not liable to catch flre thoughit can be lit by a match, nor dangerous, nor in any way di agreeable inuse, for instance by the generation of evil smelling fumes. The saidcompound is cheap, convenient to handle and to use and fulfllls toperfection its function as a kindle:

and as a self-contained fuel as well, under allcircumstances, and veryeconomically without the assistance of paper. wood, or any otherkindlingmaterial. J

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the fuel compound comprisesa binder consisting of 1 to coal-tar pitch and 1 to 12% cornstarch, fourgroups of hydrocarbons with graded flash points, namely 0 to 15%kerosene as the hydrocarbon with lowest flash point, 0 to 20% to be usedfor, p

crude oil or a medium flash point as the hydrocarbon oi the secondgroup, 0 to 20% paraflin as the hydrocarbon of the third group withhigher flash points than that o! the second group, 0 to 20% of a heavyoil, as a heavy mineral oil, or any heavyor tar-oil. as the hydrocarbonof the fourth group of highest flash points, 3 to 65% coal particles 3to 60% charcoal particles as the carbonaceous or solid combustiblematerials. whereby the four groups of hydrocarbons amount to at least18% of the compound, and the coal and charcoal particles together amountto 45 to 65% by weight or the compound. To the compound as defined maybe added 55 to 5% kaoline,

to 30% naphthalene, about 1 to 2% slaked or other lime, about 1 to 2%iron oxide, about 1 to 2% antimony sulphide and 1 to 2% zinc oxide.

As equivalent to paraflin all animal, vegetable, or mineral waxes can beused as well as the next following derivates of the iractionaldistillation o! naphtha, as for example Vaseline oil, watchmakers oil,etc.

The parailln serves mainly three purposes: first. it makes the compoundreadily but not highly inflammable in the presence of carbonaceousmaterial acting as a wick, second, it increases the heat unit content orthe compound considerably, and third, it seals the final product againstevaporation of volatiles from within and atmospheric and other externalinfluences.

As equivalent for pitch, asphalt, coal-tar, lacquers, resins, limedrosins, (rosin to M. P. and 2 to 5% lime) can be used. Thepitch servesmainly three purposes: first. it contributes largely to the high thermaleifect of the compound in the burning process and adds another grade ofinflammability to the hydrocarbons, i. e. a flash point of 290-415 F.,second, it acts as additional sealing agent in the same manner asparaflin works in this capacity, third, it represents the binding agentin the process of forming briquets, logs, or the like, which effect issupported by the boiling in of cornstarch as a stiilening agent, thuspreventing the pitch from running or draining of! during combustion andcarbonizing the pitch to reduce its smoke in the burning proces s,thereby rendering briquets that e will not disintegrate while burningand will not give oif obnoxious smoke. I

As equivalent for cornstarch, flour or dextrine, or a similar material,working as stiirening agent can be used; and naphthalene can besubstituted by phenantrene.

The following examples are given, whereby the ingredients of thecompounds are cited in percent of weight:

Example! For kindler purposes in granulated or briquetted form.

1 Per cent Pitch '13 Cornstarch--- 7 Crude oil or fuel oil of mediumflash point- 8 Paraiiln Heavy mineral oil 5 Crushed bituminous coal 27Powdered charcoal 10 Granulated charcoal In a variation an example whichis also used for Mueller in granulated or briquetted form is shown asfollows:

Per cent Pitch 11 Cornstarch- 7 Slaked lime 2 Sulphur i Iron onide 1Antimony sulphide 1 Zinc oxide--- 1 Kerosene 1 Crude oil of medium flashpoint 8 Paramn no) 9 Crushed anthracite coal L 10' Crushed bituminouscoal 19 Powdered charcoal 10 Granulated charcoal 19 Example 2 :Forspecial use as a fuel for open fire-places,

kitchen stoves in briquet or log shape:

Per cent Pitch 13 Cornstarch 7 Kerosene 6 Paramn 8 Heavy mineral oil 12Crushed anthracite coal 23 Powdered charcoal a 7 Granulated charcoal 24Another example in use for the same purpose is the following:

Per cent Pitch 16 Cornstarch Kerosene... 4' Paramn 12 Heavy mineral oil6 Iron oxide l. Crushed anthracite coal 27 Powdered charcoal 10Granulated charcoaL; 17

Example 3 For special use as fuel for cooking stoves whereby it producesthe required heating eflect almost immediately and has the additionaladvantage that at any time anthracite or other coal may be I added andquickly ignited while the fuel compound continues its previous functionas fuel and thus sets as heating and kindling material at once:

1 Per cent Pitch 6 Cornstarch--- 5 Kerosene 2 Crude oil of medium flashpoint 6 Paraflln 6 Naphthalene 12 Heavy mineral oil 8 Crushed anthracitecoal 11 Crushed bituminous coal e 12 Powdered charcoal 10 Granulatedcharcoal 22 Another example in use for the same purpose is thefollowing:e I

1 Per cent Pitch 4 Cornstarch 4 Crude oil of medium flash point 4 Par 2Naphthalene 20 Heavy mineral oil 10 Crushed anthracite coal 16 Crushedbituminous coal 15 Powdered charcoal s Granulated charcoal 17 It isanother object of the present invention to provide a method of preparinga fuel compound according to which a material is produced in eithergranulated; briquetted or log-shaped form. This object is achieved,first, by heating of pitch above its melting point and stirring incornstarch, and by heating the mixture further until the cornstarch isfully dehydrated, i. e. until the water of condition of the cornstarchis driven out. The cornstarch integrates with the pitch and forms agallertic mass with it. Second, another mixture is preparedsimultaneously in a separate tank by introducing the largest part of thecoal first and heating it up to about the same temperature as pitch andcornstarch, in order to dehydrate said coal, and then parai'fin and theliquid hydrocarbons are either introduced in the same tank containingthe coal which is further heated to the same temperature, whereby thedehydrated coal partly absorbs the liquid and semi-liquid hydrocarbonsafter their melting; or to expediate this procedure the semi-liquidhydrocarbons are simultaneously melted in a third tank, then the liquidhydrocarbons are added while the total is being heated up to the sametemperature as pitch and coal. In the first case, when operating withtwo tanks only, the contents of both tanks are intimately united byagitating them thoroughly while keeping them constantly at a temperatureabove the melting point of pitch, and in the second case, when operatingafter the liquid and liquefied hydrocarbons hav-' ing been united withand partly absorbed by the coal thecontent of the second tank isintimately united with thecontent of the first tank in the mannerdescribed above. During the whole procedure the materials in all tanksare kept at a the known manner, in

temperature above the melting point oi the pitch. All tanks arepreferably jacketed tor steam-heat and covered in order to avoid theevaporation or the volatiles and equipped with agitating devices becauseit is very important to agitate during the whole procedure all oi thecontents of the tanks.

Irrespectively of using two or three tanks as described or a more modernconveyor-belt mixing method or any other method to the flnal mixture(coal plus liquid and semi-liquid hydrocarbons plus pitch binder) whichstill is kept above the melting temperature oi the pitch, the rest ofthe charcoal, namely, the most coarsely granulated charcoal is added inits cold state.

The finished product is then either poured out and cooled off, thusmaturing into a mass of granulated shape, or preierably, pressed in itsstill not state at the temperature above the melting point of pitch intobriquets, logs, or the like. The pressing can be eflected by molding,extruding, or any other convenient way. The pressed compound either canbe baked now, in order to carbonize the compound and thereby reduce thesmoke development of the briquets in the burning process, and thenletting it cool of! whereby it solidifies to a surprisingly hard briquetnot subjected to breakage in shipment and disintegration in the burningprocess. or simply cooled oil immediaately after pressing, again eitherby molding or extruding in any desired shape, resulting in the samesurprisingly hard briquet, since it develops a negligible amount ofsmoke only even it not subjected to the baking process. After thecomplete combustion there will be no undesirable residues or clinkersleit, but a little white ash (about 6%).

By adding granulated charcoal in its unheated state to the entiremixture it has been found that the mixture does not penetrate into thegranulated charcoal. This has three explanations: first, the aircontained in the granulated charcoal expands to such an extent as toprevent penetration of the fluid, second, intense evaporation of waterstill contained in the unheated charcoal occurs so that fluids whichhave penetrated at the surface are deprived 01 their heat to such anextent that they solidity and thereby prevent further penetration,third, the pitch binder added to the mixture before incorporating thecoarse, unheated charcoal particles has, although still being hot,already solidified the liquids to such an extent that they are hard toabsorb. Consequently. these dry charcoal particles will becomeincandescent in the burning process first and extend their lncandescencequickly to the other substances.

I had it important for some special purposes ltiok add to the mixtureoxidizers, or sulphur or the The new fuel compound has-an outstandingsuperiority over all known regular coal and coke, packaged fuels,briquets and all kinds of kindlers.

It is the first coal iuel compound which is ignitable by a match andable to light even anthracite coal in an open grate fire. Furthermore,so much heat is developed in the kindling period already that theheating period begins simultaneously with the start 01' the fire.Finally due to the condensed high calorific compound and its rate ofcombustion as well as incandescenceone obtains a considerably strongerheating eflect with a lesser amount of fuel and in much shorter timethan with any other kind of natural or artiflcial solid iuel.

ammo

After having described my invention. I an: aware of the fact thatiurther modifleations can be made therein by persons skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope oi the invention asexpressedintheclaims.

WhatIclaimie:

l. A iuel composition consisting substantially of about 0 to 15% mostreadily inflammable liquid hydrocarbons or a flash point not higher thanabout 150 F.. 0 to 20% readily inflammable llquid hydrocarbons oi aflash point irom 150' I. up to about 260 l"., a substantial amount up to20% paraflln as less readily inflammable hydrocarbon ot a flash pointfrom 280' I". up to about 300 F., 0 to 20% least readily inflammableliquid hydrocarbons of a flash point irom 300' I". up to about 600 F., lto 30% pitch, and l to 12$ starch, 3 to 65% by weight flnely dividedcoal material and 3 to of charcoal. both said coal material and saidcharcoal totalling 45 to 65%, and said hydrocarbons comprising saidparafln and at least two of said other groups of hydrocarbons, all saidhydrocarbons including parsifln amounting to at least 18% of the totalcomposition.

2. A iuel composition consisting of l to 30% pitch and 1 to 12% starch,substantially 3 to 65% 01 finely divided coal material and substantially3 to 60% charcoal, both said coal material and said charcoal totalling45-65%. Paraflln and at least two other hydrocarbons selected from thegroup consisting oi liquid and solid hydrocarbons, each of thehydrocarbons including paraflln having a flash point dlilerent from thatof the other hydrocarbons and a caloriflc value suiflclent ior ignitingthe hydrocarbon of next higher flash point and said paraflln and saidother hydrocarbons'amounting to at least 18%.

3. A fuel composition consisting or at least three groups ofhydrocarbons comprising substantially about 1 to 15% kerosene, 0 to 20%crude oil or a flashpoint of F. to 260 l"., a substantial amount up to20% paraflin, 0. to 20% heavy hydrocarbon oil of a flash point 01 about300 F. up to 600 F., each of said hydrocarbons having a higher flashpoint than the previous one and being of a caioriflc value suflicientfor lgniting the next group of a higher flash point, 3 to 60% charcoalparticles, 3 to 65% coal particles, l to 30% pitch, and 1 to 12% starch,said charcoal and coal particles-to th r amountin to from 45 to 65%,both said paraflln and at least two of said other hydrocarbons amountinsto at least 18%.

4. A fuel composition consisting oi at least three groups ofhydrocarbons comprising substantially about 0 to 15% kerosene. 0 to 30%naphthalene, 0 to 20% crude oil of a flash point of 150 0". to 600 F., asubstantial amount up to 14% para!- fln, 0 to 20% heavy hydrocarbon oiloi a flash point of about 300 F. up to 600 F., each oi said hydrocarbonshaving a higher flash point than the previous one and being of acaloriflc value sufficient for igniting the next group of a higher flashpoint, 3 to 60% charcoal particles, 8 to 65% coal particles, 1 to 30%pitch, and 1 to 12% starch, said charcoal and coal particles togetheramounting to 45 to 65%, and both said parailln and at least two of saidother hydrocarbons amounting to at least 18% 5. A method of preparing afuel composition, which consists of heating of l to 30% pitch above itsmelting point and stirring in 1 to 12% starch. and further heating ofsaid pitch and starch to the point oi dehydration of the latter and tothe 9 point of integration of pitch with starch, heating separately 3 to65% by weight of finely divided coal material to the point of itsdehydration, then adding at least 13% or both paramn and at least twoother hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of liquid andsolid hydrocarbons of a flash point of about 150 F. up to about 600 eachoi the hydrocarbons, including parafiin, having a flash point difierentfrom that of the other hydrocarbons and a, calorific value sumcient forigniting the hydrocarbon of next higher flash point, to said dehydratedfinely divided coal material and heating it up to the temperature of thesaid pitch and starch before mixing all said heated ingredients togetherwith said pitch and starch, finally adding 3 to 60% charcoal in coldstate to the said mixture, both said coal material and said charcoaltotalling 45 to 65%, mixing finally all said ingredients together,thorough- 1y mitating the mixture during the whole procedure and thencooling ofl the final mixture.

6. A method of preparing a, fuel composition, which consists of heatingof 1 to 30% pitch above its melting point and stirring in 1 to 12%starch, and further heating of said pitch and said starch to the pointof dehydration of the latter and to the point of integration of pitchwith starch, heating separately 3 to 65% by weight finely divided coalmaterial to the point of its dehydration, then adding at least 18% ofboth paraflln and at least two other hydrocarbons selected from thegroup consisting of liquid and solid hydrocarbons of a flash point ofabout 150 F. up to about 600 F. each of the hydrocarbons, includingparaiiin, having a flash point different from ing 3% to of charcoal incold state to the said mixture, both said coal material and saidcharcoal totalling 45 to mixing finally all said ingredients together,thoroughly agitating the mixture during the-whole procedure, thenforming the mixture under pressure to predetermined shape before coolingit oil.

FRED :ELKAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 44,940 Covert Nov. 8, 1864836,897 Schorr Nov. 27, 1906 1,290,992 Hlte Jan. 14, 1919 1,682,195Sheehan Aug. 28, 1928 1,811,935 Hue June 30, 1931 2,227,256 Hafi'nerDec. 31, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,014 Great Britain1903 4,377 Great Britain 1912 9,065 Great Britain 1912

